Natalie Babcock and Samuel Gibson discovered their dream apartment five years ago in Beachwood Canyon, captivated not just by its aesthetic appeal but also by the promises of a vibrant community.
The sunny two-bedroom apartment, set in a charming 1928 Spanish fourplex, initially lured the couple with its built-in bookshelves, faux fireplace, hardwood floors, and formal dining room.
In a city where practical amenities often go missing, the presence of an in-unit laundry and a garage added to the allure.
But, as time has passed, the couple finds their true joy lies within the neighborhood’s strong sense of belonging.
Babcock, a 35-year-old educator in the adolescent mental health field, expresses, “Everyone knows our dogs’ names. There is a true community vibe in this neighborhood.”
In harmony with Babcock’s sentiments, Gibson, a 38-year-old screenwriter and Spanish professor from London, adds, “I’ve never lived in a place that felt like a neighborhood. We’re in a message group with our neighbors. Sometimes our dog walks take forever because we stop every few minutes to say hello to someone.”
Their journey to this cherished home wasn’t without its challenges.
The couple faced a heartbreaking year with illness and loss—Gibson returned to England to care for his mother during her battle with pancreatic cancer, while Babcock moved in with her parents to assist her sister in caring for their father, who had suffered a stroke.
Reflecting on that tumultuous time, Babcock recalls, “It was the worst year of our lives. Sam’s mother died, and my father had a catastrophic stroke.”
After enduring such hardship, they coveted a fresh start.
Eager to create new, happier memories, they embarked on a search for a new apartment.
After combing through numerous online listings, the couple found the Hollywood apartment they now adore on Zillow but were met with fierce competition at the open house.
“It was a feeding frenzy,” they describe the scene.
Noting the surprisingly low asking price of $2,995, they felt compelled to establish a personal connection with potential landlords, so they composed a heartfelt letter about their lives, including photographs, hoping to stand out among other applicants.
Babcock recalls the anxiety of the moment, “Eve and I were in a panic because the apartment was beautiful, and we really wanted to live there. The three of us were an unconventional group, though, and we hoped they might choose us.”
They were overjoyed when they finally moved in on February 2020, unaware that they would soon find themselves isolated in their new apartment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Babcock described the new place as a welcome reset, providing them plenty of time to nest and decorate their living space.
A year later, as life continued to evolve, Eve moved out, and Gibson transformed her bedroom into a vibrant art-filled office that cleverly doubles as a guest room for family and friends.
The couple found that the key to a comfortable guest experience is a high-quality mattress topper from IKEA, which they cleverly store in the garage.
As Babcock notes, “Blow-up mattresses always deflate. This is a better option.”
Their home boasts a lively aesthetic, illuminated by colors that reflect their artistic sensibilities.
They made bold choices, painting walls in eye-catching colors.
Gibson created a dramatic accent wall in his office painted Kelly green, making the extensive art collection truly stand out, while the master bedroom features a serene charcoal wall behind the bed for a calming atmosphere.
Babcock, proud of their design choices, emphasizes, “Paint is your friend. Be bold in your color choices, and when it comes to DIY and landlords, ask for forgiveness, not permission.”
The decor is thoughtfully curated with not only artwork but also personal stories tied to each piece.
Framed prints adorn the kitchen, black-and-white photographs decorate the dining room, and large-scale oil paintings invite admiration in the living room and hallway.
The office showcases mixed-media pieces sourced from local artists, a family member, and even treasures found on the street.
Equally as awe-inspiring are the lush houseplants thriving in their sunlit apartment, including Monstera deliciosa and a ponytail palm, benefiting from the abundance of natural light streaming in from large picture windows.
Gibson shares his passion for art, stating, “Art is one thing that I am always happy to spend money on.”
Last year, the couple took on renovations in the kitchen, opting for a blue paint and peel-and-stick floor tiles from WallPops to modernize the dated yellow linoleum flooring.
Referencing the project, Gibson adds, “It wasn’t the hardest project, but you do have to measure each tile to the centimeter because the apartment has moved slightly over the years, presumably from earthquakes.”
They have adorned the 1,200-square-foot apartment with vintage Midcentury furniture and unique finds from Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
“There’s something nice about scraping together designs,” Gibson reflects, likening it to solving a puzzle, where various styles must be pieced together.
The living room features an L-shaped Bensen sofa and retro yellow swivel chairs acquired from diverse sources, including a crafter’s car in downtown L.A., alongside leather loungers found on Facebook Marketplace.
For entertaining guests, they scoured Craigslist for a table accommodating eight, which they discovered in a rustic Hollywood flat.
Babcock takes pride in hosting dinner parties, sharing that her husband is now the main chef while she enjoys going all out in preparation.
“I grew up around the dining-room table,” she explains, sharing the connection to her childhood in West Los Angeles.
Their dining room is adorned with a stone cigar table reminiscent of their travels to Casa Luis Barragán in Mexico City, purchased from a designer’s loft in downtown L.A.
Living with two dogs, Chili and Peaches, has also influenced their home decor choices, leading them to select practical options like washable sofa covers.
Gibson exclaims, “We’ve made great friends here,” indicating their active engagement with their neighbors.
Their apartment situates them in an area that allows easy access to walk their dogs in varied directions, enjoying walks to local attractions like the Hollywood Reservoir, Bronson Canyon caves, and Sunset Ranch stables along Beachwood Drive, even the expansive Griffith Park.
When asked if they ever envision owning a home, Gibson states, “Yes, of course. But I think we would truly never leave this apartment unless we could buy a house with a yard. It’s like London, in that, having a yard is a luxury.”
Babcock advocates for a small outdoor space for the dogs or an additional bathroom, but they are both in agreement on one point: “It would be a shame to buy a house that’s not as nice as this.”
Despite the dreams of homeownership, the couple is entirely content in their Hollywood Hills apartment—a space infused with art, affection for their dogs, and a strong sense of community.
With a laugh, Babcock adds, “We joke that we will die here.”
image source from：latimes
